The Slade Family

Highlights of Christmas

2011-02-02T16:40:00.000-08:00

OK- so this is SO sad that my LAST pictures on my blog are from LAST Christmas! Wow! What happened to me this year?! :)

So I'm not going to commit to blogging the year of 2010, but I will try to do a FEW highlights of the year gradually! :)

So here is December....

Out to eat with the Slade Ladies for Jessica's b-day!

He didn't get the bike- just a new helmet & horn & he's as happy as a clam!

Livi & her best friend Grace with their matching dolls!

Getting ready for Santa & ALL 9 Reindeers!!!

The Nativity with the "Ben & Emily's" & the "Brent & Emily's"

(notice the oh-so-reverent Livi!)

At Jack & Livi's Music Performance for "Performing Pals" at the QC Library...

I LOVE my kids!!!

2011-02-02T16:27:00.000-08:00

This was our last family photo shoot....back at the end of November with the beautiful fall leaves of the pecan trees in Queen Creek. And beautiful kids to go with them!

Disneyland with the Nevill's!!!

2009-12-01T16:09:00.000-08:00

We owe a LOT to the Nevill's (like taking a 50% share in raising Olivia), but one of the greatest things they gave us was to let us come to Disneyland with them! It was a blast!

We started the vacation with a beautiful day at the beach. Nothing is better!

Some Memorable Fall Moments...

2009-11-13T15:43:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving at Brent's parents. Debbie knows how to set one beautiful table!

Creative Days around the house!

Oakley & his flag football team (the Dirt Devils)- coached by his own dad & uncles won the championship! It was such a fun season!

With his best friend, Kobe Mott.

The cousins....Oakley, Ethan, Austin & Hayden (maybe in the wrong order!)

Happy Halloween

2009-11-12T07:54:00.000-08:00

Some memorable Halloween moments!.....

My Aunt Trice come to visit us & see Aimee's new baby Luke!

Jack taking a full step backward- totally scared by this guy's painted face!

Some fine young men!

Jackson pushed his stroller for at least 30 minutes!

But we started out this way...

Joshie looking THRILLED!!!

Isaac (looking like the boy in "A Christmas Story" when he tried on his pink bunny suit!)

and Oakley, Lindy, Jack, Eliza & Livi

"Bumblebee" the good Transformer

An adorable tiger!

She is QUITE the cheerleader!

"Just When I Thought I Was Over You!"....

2009-11-10T21:02:00.000-08:00

Okay- so that's a line from one of my all-time favorite songs....who knows that!?

So, yes, just when you thought I was completing giving up on the blogging world............

I bring you.............

A POST! :)

So buckle up & prepare yourself for a journey back through time (or at least through the last 6 months when I've just been lazy and haven't blogged!)

So for my 1st blog back, I had to document how ADORABLE my sweet Livi was today-singing the National Anthem with Brent- in front of her entire school + parents for a special Veteran's Day program! She wasn't the least bit nervous. In fact, she knew just how to give them her cute little smile & make them love her.

Sorry for the jittery camera (like mother like daughter)....I was trying to get her to sing loud at times...while operating the camera....not recommended!

Enjoy!

(I also LOVE the proud teacher in the background mouthing the words!)

My Mom Rocks!

2009-05-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have (literally) the best mom in the whole world.

I have missed her SO much over the last 3 years while she's been in Africa,

but she will soon be home to be my mommy!

Here are some wonderful things she taught me growing up....

Home Birth is the best! (she pretty much delivered me herself)

Have all your kids while you are young and cute! (I didn't follow that one too well....and she still had Annie after this!)

She taught me how to ride a bike without training wheels (i usually leave that to Brent!)

She taught me about the church (our trip back east to church history sights)

.... some people, namely Ali, looked absolutely thrilled!

She taught me the joy of Rocky Point Mexico!

She was supportive in every thing I did (academic night).

She taught me to cook (although I still can't make pizza!)

She taught me to be frugal & cut my own kids hair.

(And how to never let my hair be again- hers & mine!)

She let me have adventures (to Europe after I graduated from high school with friends!)

And SO much more!

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Happy Mother's Day!

It's a MIRACLE.....I'm back!

2009-04-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know it's been FOREVER since I've blogged last!

I almost just gave it up completely, through a crazy move & a 1st trimester of being pregnant sick (yes- I'm prego in case you didn't notice my fat belly!) But I've made it through and here I am!

So, we are just going to start at the most recent happenings & gradually I will work my way backwards! :)

So.........here is EASTER Sunday! I LOVE getting my kids matching clothes for Easter....so fun!

My handsome little 22 month old! I can't believe he's almost 2!

We haven't quite perfected that "naturally" beautiful smile with Olivia!

Oakley always wears a white shirt & tie, so he was a little concerned

this wasn't good enough for Sunday......he's such a good boy!)

(Jackson just loves messing up his hair!.....sure love that!)

Our Rainy Easter Egg Hunt!

2009-04-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

Easter Saturday was a fabulous day in Arizona! It started out by ruining our Easter egg hunt plans in the morning by pouring rain when we woke up. (But we were okay with it because it was so beautiful....and we knew this was probably the last of the nice weather before the 100 degree weather hit...which is just did!)

So we postponed the party til late in the afternoon when the rain had stopped & it was just beautiful! We had the Slade family over for the egg hunt & a nice little barbecue.

It was so fun to have the Easter egg hunt in our new 3 1/2 acre yard. There was plenty of room for all the grandkids to spread out & really "hunt" instead of just see them all instantly.

We are sure loving our new house! (Well....mostly the land!) :)

Then we finished our Easter night off by sitting around our "fire pit" in the back corner of our yard because it was FREEZING!!! But we had a nice discussion about resurrection followed by Newell's unforgettable dive/fall/roll. Thank you Newell!

Jack didn't care about collecting the eggs....he just wanted to stop and open 1 and a time & then eat what was inside!

Ethan, Oakley, hmmmm...Austin & Hayden?, Cade....where was Wesley?

Livi, Hannah, Daisy, & Jennie holding Elli Belly!

SpRiNg at the new house

2009-04-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

We move at the PERFECT time!

It was the beginning of March & beautiful weather.

Our new house has 13 fruit trees in the front yard, that we are so excited for....apple, peach, pear, plum, & maybe cherry? They are all little, but hopefully will give us a little in return for all the hours of irrigation Brent has worked on in the middle of the night.

We also got 10 new baby chicks in March, and of course...Jackson almost killed one, bringing it to the house by only it's neck. It's a miracle it survived!

Here are some pictures around our beautiful yard

of grass, small trees & our nasty "back porch" full of sand, weeds, sun, and...of course, no actually porch or concrete....just a good old carpet remnant!

Oakley = Sports ....okay, and Academics

2009-01-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

Wow....Oakley is a freak about sports...hmmmm....I wonder where he got that!?

The other day (on his 1st day of soccer practice), I walked into his room to see this....

What's so hilarious is that Brent did the EXACT same thing when he was that old too. Except Debbie said he also layed out a piece of gum with his uniform! :)

And today he had his 1st game and they won 4-1.....he was so happy!!!

And then I was in Walmart the other day, just walking down an isle, when a man dressed in head to toe Pittsburg Steelers clothes walked by.

Then Oakley says, loud even for him to hear, "How could you be a Steelers fan!?" Oh man, the guy was laughing just as hard as I was! I don't know how he knew that!

I mean...come on! This kid wakes up every morning before all of us and turns on Brent's DVR football or basketball games from the night before, just to rewatch them and ask us, "Whose the bad team?" or "Who do you want to win?" then he'll cheer for the other team!

AND.....he is amazing at school!

I am so proud that I just have to boast a little.....Oakley got chosen for Student of Month for the 2nd time this year at Ben Franklin! The 1st month was for Music and then December was for his class with Miss Arnold. He makes me so dang proud!!!!

Come What May...and LOVE it!

2009-01-15T21:04:00.000-08:00

When life hands you lemons.......Make LEMONADE!

Yes...I love my lemon tree!)
Jack just LOVED this.....he actually could do it all by himself!

When life hands you a bag of flour, dump it out, and make some yummy paste!

And then laugh while you're doing it!
When you find pretty shoes.....wear them (or you could apply this to...buy them!)
When Daddy has good shoes to fill.....fill them.

Wherever you can find water....drink it!

When you have orange trees.....WATER them....it actually worked this year...we had wonderful oranges!!!

When life gives you pics like these.....grab the camera!

Top 10 Random Pictures of November & December!

2009-01-15T20:40:00.000-08:00

Just some highlights of my crazy life!...

#10... A wonderful and FREEZING Thanksgiving with Curtis & Aimee!

#9- A grand week with Grandpa Rob here! Jack just loved him! And the kids loved stealing his walker!#8 - Brent's SLADE Christmas Concert when Oakley loved the "snow" machine...or bubbles basically! (To see more pics from that visit the SLADE blog linked up top)

#7 - At the same Christmas Queen Creek event...Jack was a little leary of Santa! Why do we torture our small children like this!?

#6 - I sure LOVED when Jackson would untie or tear off every bow on the presents under the tree! That was definitely the best part of the month! :)

#5 - Jack at a petting zoo at Desert Mountain Park...it was the sweetest thing I've seen! A little pig comforting a rabbit who was scared and shaking! (And of course Jackson just scaring the poor rabbit even more!)

#4- Livi is a natural ham! At the ward talent show (after) when she was sad that she didn't get to perform...so I found her after she grabbed the mic and started singing!

#3- Again....my LOVELY daughter at the talent show....she would only make that face right when I would try to take a picture of her!

#2- The greatest act of all times....Mormon Synchronized Swimming....Brent was hilarious! (They dive on matresses on the stage!)

#1 - and my number 1 picture.....my random kids! And Livi actually put Jack there by herself and drove him around!

Tagging....a new world to me!

2009-01-15T19:58:00.000-08:00

Okay....so Megan Hastings tagged me....so I MUST follow through! But it was kind of fun! She has an amazing blog!

Here are the guidlines for this tag:

1. Link to the person that tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

All righty then! Here are six random things about Yours Truly...

1. I have extrememly bad proprioception....(that means that always cut my fingers or I run in to the corner of my piano bench (or a wall) all the time!)

2. I absolutely HATE cleaning bathrooms- always the last chore to be done....dishes are right before that!

3. I formed a "Babysitting Club" based on my favorite series when I was 10. We held weekly meetings even, after passing out flier, and didn't get one call! (Go Cindy & Callie!!!!)

4. Then when that club failed, we formed "The Beastie Girls" club and met on top of my slide.....but I don't remember what we ever did!? Who was in that? Annie, Cindy, Callie!? Thank you dear brother Zach for the inspiration!

5. My favorite food of all time......fresh squeezed orange juice...and it's not even a food! (That is due to Brother Phelps on Christmas mornings!)

6. My favorite smell.......fires! (Like campfires....mmmm! love it!)

Doing some "blog-hopping" I found and tag the following people:
1. Annie L.
2. Cindy W.
3. Stephanie K.
4. Krystall L.
5. Jami B.
6. Annie J.

Happy blogging!

I need your blog address!

2009-01-07T09:12:00.000-08:00

Hi friends!
I know it's been a LONG time since I've blogged- so I'm sorry. I have a lot of catching up to do, so bear with me! But when I did a makeover on my blog a while back, I lot all my friends blog addresses on accident.

SO..........if you are reading this, please leave a comment with your blog address so I don't have to search you down!
Thank you!

He is in a better place....

2008-11-19T07:06:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone,

Wow.....I didn't realize that my very last post was to ask for help for my dear friend Lorin, and now I am here to ask for more help, in a different way. His family needs prayers.

My dear friend Lorin passed away last night, after a few very difficult months of fighting cancer. They literally told him just one day before that there probably wasn't any more hope, and that they were going to be sending him home with hospice. And then, as soon as Heavenly Father could, he relieved him of his pain and brought him home to him.

I was so sad yesterday, thinking of his poor family, his poor parents who have this trial to endure, but I am so happy he is in a better place. On Sunday he got to be set apart as an Elder, and I know Elder Merkley will be preaching the gospel in heaven.

On our trek, and just in his life in general, his nickname was Lorin "The Magnificent" Merkley- and he truly was. For him to be taken back to his Heavenly Father so early in his life, he must have truly been a magnificent young man. He was ready.

I think of our Stake Youth Trek motto and know it will apply to Lorin's life....

"The Legacy Continues"

I love you Lorin and I will miss you!

My friend needs HELP...

2008-11-04T20:20:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone....

You may have heard, and you may know him, but one of my dearest friends, who is like a son to me....Lorin Merkley....is enduring through cancer right now, and all the trials that come with that. He was my "son" on our stake youth trek back in March of this year, where we came to love him and care so much for him. He was all ready to go on his mission when he found out about his cancer.

He has been fighting cancer for a couple months now and his family is in need of help.

They are selling Gold Canyon candles (which I know we all LOVE) to raise money for his medical bills. If they raise $2500 by November 22nd, they will give half of it to the Merkley's, who desperately need it.

So PLEASE....this is a good cause, and it's a wonderful time of year to buy one of these wonderful candles- for yourself or for a Christmas present.

You can see more at Lorin's blog ....... http://www.lorinmerkley.blogspot.com/

Or you can order directly through Josie Penrod at penrodfam@yahoo.com or 987-3210.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Brent with Lorin on the far right

October 31st!!!

2008-11-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful time of the year! I LOVE Halloween...it's my 2nd favorite holiday, next to Christmas of course! We had such a fun time going to our ward Halloween party at the Bowman's and then going to Newell and Jessica's house for the Slade Halloween get together after.....and of course, we mostly go so we can do the annual Slade Ugly Face contest. So if you are wondering what those pictures are in the slide- yes- those are not how they normally look. I'm so proud to have married into a family that is so good at making fun of themselves! :) Enjoy the slideshow! (put mouse on each picture for a little caption)

Silly Livi!

2008-11-01T12:19:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I freaked out and couldn't find Livi anywhere when we came home to a babysitter. But don't worry- I finally found her behind our couch in the family just sound asleep!The kids love our wigs we've used for past Halloweens, but this is especially great! This is Livi with her next-door neighbor friend, Zach Ballard. This kind of reminds me of my mom and dad- say......in 1972? Was that the year you had a mullet dad!? :)

A self portrait! Just a cute picture of her today during Stake Conference (while she was in the nursery playing at the end!)

Haircuts & Parties!

2008-10-27T09:26:00.000-07:00

So it was just a wonderful weekend....I love Fall!

I decided to chop my hair off on Thursday (many thanks to my friend Julie who coaxed me into it!) and to my wonderful hairstylist- the one and only Jill Ann LeSueur Chipman! She's the best!

But we chopped a good 5-6 inches, so it was scary- but I do love it! It's kind of a choppy a-line cut- LOVE it! And it's so easy to do!

Friday we went to a rockin' Redneck Halloween party- which was totally awesome, but sorry, I'm not going to post those pictures for the whole world to see! It's just too nasty!

And Saturday we had Grandma Packard with us for the day. It's so good to have her down here...and it was so great to have her help me with my laundry all day! Then that night we had a fun street family Halloween party at the John's house. It was a blast! The kids LOVED the haunted house in their garage & they had a fun bounce house & a pumpkin carving contest. It was just perfect for the kids and a fun night for us!

Livi went through the haunted house once and they accidentally got some fake blood on her sleeve. So when she came out she had this horrified look on her face and she said, "Mom! I broke my arm.........but it doesn't hurt!?"

(Anakin from Star Wars, Gramma, Tinkerbell, the Disco Queen, & Jack the Pumpkin!)

fUn aRouNd tHe hOuSe!!!

2008-10-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

I just have to document my favorite part of every day.....when daddy "comes home". Technically he is home a lot, since he works here!....but when he's really done with work he "mentally" comes home! And that's the best!

And then there's my cutie pie- Livi Loo. We chopped her hair off! Ahhhh! I was so nervous to do it but it looks so much better. It was just getting way too long and she hates for me to do her hair anyway, so it's much easier! And she LOVES it! It's a-line in the back and way cute.....now I'm tempted to do mine!!!!???

Here's a BEFORE shot, and a classic picture of her attitude as a 4 year old!

And AFTER!

And Jackson loves Livi's bean bag. He drags it around the house, to where he thinks might be a comfortable resting spot for a few moments....and then he's up and going again!

And this picture just had to make the cut. He actually took this himself- probably as the camera was falling to the ground....as that is my kitchen ceiling!

Jack's Talents...

2008-10-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

Who me!?.....couldn't be!?

Yeah....he's a stinker! He always climbs up on the counter...but this time he had a purpose. He loves cookies, but mostly just the filling in the middle. Why is every child the same!?

I love these lemon cream cookies....they remind me of Grandma Ferrin's cookie jar (she was like a grandma to me growing up!)

Brothers

2008-10-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

Jack loves anything that has wheels on it. He loves his little push car, LOVES going on walks in the morning in the stroller (the only time he doesn't make any noise), and loves trying to get on big kid bikes. So now he's found the scooter...which of course he can't do on his own- so his very helpful and kind brother always is there to teach him the ropes!

Kids say (& do) the darndest things!

2008-09-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

So Livi is a crack-up! She's really into bodily parts lately...as you can tell. She found these the other day (not part of my normal wear...) and once she asked me to put them on, said, "Hey...now I'm a mommy!" Maybe I should stop taking showers with her!? And then 2 nights ago at cousin Bradley's football game we were walking in behind a rather big gal.

Olivia had to say (loud enough that she might have heard us), "Why does that girl have such a big bum?!" To which I hushed her very quickly!

Then as she was contiplating on the subject later that night, she said, "If we drink a lot of water then we won't have big bums, right!?" Yes...Livi...you are exactly right!

Such a smart girl!

And this is Jack's new FAVORITE thing! He is obsessed with water....always turning on my bath, etc. So this is perfect....while I do the dishes in the other sink, he sits here & loves it!

And my mom said she would do the same thing with me!

And Oakley is just crazy!!!! (Or Brent is I guess!) Oakley helped Daddy out while he's working on re-roofing my parent's house. Pretty view of the back yard- huh?

SLADE Band's new blog...

2008-09-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

So Brent opened last night for Lady Antebellum & IT WAS AWESOME!!!
I'm sorry if you missed it! It was a party!!!

They sold their single, "If I Could Only" at the concert for $3, or 2 for $5, but they are going to work on getting an album together over the next couple months.

So if you can, check out their new blog www.brentslade.blogspot.com
and we'll let you know when their album is done- and if you can, add it to your blog!

Thanks!

A Jack Attack...

2008-09-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

So it was time...I had to attack Jack's mullet. It was just getting kind of nasty! So I braved the scissors & even did it without Brent. He was pretty good too! What a cute little 15 month old! (Who still won't say "mama"...and that makes me mad!) But he can sing "Ah Dee Dee Dah! Ah Dee Dee Dah!" to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"
It's hilarious!

Here's a before....

And after!

Bringing Back Star Wars!

2008-09-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

So Oakley is 6 now! He had such a fun birthday party on the night of his b-day (August 28th).

They didn't have Star Wars party stuff, so I had to settle for Wall-e (which I loved by the way).

But I at least had to get Oaks only Star Wars stuff....(just the little characters....he loved it!)

We had a little swimming party (typical for my 3 summer babies), had pizza

& I made (according to Brent & Callie) my best ever banana chocolate birthday cake.

Watch out Debbie...here I come!

A good cause...

2008-09-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone....

So I'm sure most of you have heard about this story, but I thought I should do my part to spread the word. Two of my friends, Christian & Stephanie Nielson (he is my sister-in-law's brother), were in a horrible plane crash a couple weeks ago where they were burned. Christian had 30% burns & Stephanie's were 80% and she is still in critical condition. They will be in the burn center for month & months with many many surgeries (which their insurance won't cover because it is "cosmetic"). They have 4 little kids too. It's been so horrible.

You can check out my button to the right (c jane)...that's Stephanie's sister's blog.

There has been so many acts of love & kindness, but here is one thing you might like.

They are hosting a benefit concert in their behalf...tickets are free...they are just asking for some donations.

It's next Wednesday, September 10th at the Mesa High Auditorium. (I know it's the night before Brent's concert!) But hey...it's free! And my fellow friend & neighbor (who is also Christian's 1st cousin) Aaron Ballard will be singing there too...so it will be great!

Livi's 1st day of Preschool!

2008-09-04T13:25:00.000-07:00

So Livi started preschool with Miss Nancy (Aldrich). I just love her! She's a big 4 year old!

I know I'm biased....but I just think she's the cutest girl alive!!!!

Soap, Soap, & more Soap!

2008-09-03T21:29:00.000-07:00

So WOW....yesterday I had one of those crazy mom days!

I'll bet you know exactly what I'm talking about! Yes...it was a day of clean-ups....non stop! And with a little 15 month old, I'm sure you can only imagine.

So to start this whole day off, at 10:00 the night before I just....can you guess....a kidney stone!!!
Yep....love those! So I didn't get to bed until about 1, but then I was up every 1/2 hour on the toilet....so that was lovely! But I'm fine now. :)

Okay...so now you can feel really bad for me when everything else came the next day!....

#1...It all started with Jack pulling down & getting the lid off my huge thing of liquid blue laundry detergent....right onto my carpet in my closet! WOW....there could be nothing worse! (Seriously...Livi spilt red nail polish all over downstairs & I'd take that any day over this!)

So I literally spent almost 2 HOURS cleaning that up with a shop-vac, but it isn't even close to coming out. So seriously....if this ever happens to you....just give up from the start...don't even try!!!!! Just put a rug over and say....oh well!

#2- So during the clean-up, I drop part of the vacuum all over (lots of suds) onto my bathroom floor. So I had to go get my mop....and of course, Jack loves to play in that and make a lovely mess!!!!

#3- While I was in my closet cleaning...I realize...hey...where did Jack go!? Lo & behold....I find him in my shower....and he had just dumped out all of Brent's red body wash!!!! Luckily that one was in the shower!

AHHHHH!!!!

So then- I get a last minute call from Oakley's music teacher saying that he got student of the month out of his whole school for music! I was so proud of him!
(That was the only good part of the day!) :) So.........

#4- Right as I'm ready to leave I realize...hey...didn't I just put Jack's shoes on!? Where'd they go!? Sure enough...I found them...and him...outside in a mud pit...his shoes burried & stuck in the muddy water!

Then right when I think I've got things under control & the kids are almost in bed & bathed....

#5- All of a sudden I smell poop....on me! And I realize as I picked Jack up that is wasn't in his diaper, but all over his shirt!!!! After playing detective, I track it down in the bathroom & realize it was Livi's....not Jack's....from a diahrrea accident on the bathroom floor!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!

WHAT A DAY!!!

And I'm so sorry....I just didn't have time to grab the camera with any of these!

(Sorry if this bored you...this was mostly to document my life for my sake!)

You know you LOVE country!!!

2008-08-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

I have a kindergartener!!!!

2008-08-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

Wow...I can't believe Oakley is almost 6 and in kindergarten now!

I'm getting old! :)

He was SOOO excited...no..ecstatic about going to school! We had a count-down calendar going for a few weeks that he would cross out as soon as he woke up. The morning before school he got to meet his teacher. It started at 9, but at 6:15, he was in my room waking me up asking if we could go right now! Then we waiting in the chair in my room, quietly, til I woke up at 7:00. We were the 1st ones there and his teacher, Miss Arnold said, "Wow...you are definitely going to be the tallest one in the class!"

Then the day of school (Wed. August 6th) he just couldn't wait. Too bad he has afternoon kindergarten! I told him we could leave at 11:50, so at 11:40 he stood by the clock and waited the whole 10 minutes, announcing when each minute came. Then at 11:50 I was on the phone and he said, "Okay, Mom...I'll be in the car!" We picked Hannah & Natalie up and when we got there he just ran away from me saying "Bye Mom...bye!" But I kept saying, "I'm still here!"

Anyway...he LOVED it!!!!

Brent Slade in Concert....

2008-08-11T08:38:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! So this is just a sneak peak but we'll have more coming soon...a website and flyers, etc. But for now I need help advertising for this concert....so here's a sneak peak of the band. Remember tickets are at http://www.qcpac.com/ and then under "KMLE country country series".

You can check out a few more pics through our photographer Helen (Bounce Productions)....

http://bounceproduction.smugmug.com/gallery/5660220_HiKZG/1/348338318_xZVtY#348338318_xZVtY

Hi Grammie & Papa....from Jack Jack!

2008-08-11T08:31:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post a couple cute videos of Jack (& Oakley in one) to say hi to our long (but not) lost Grammie & Papa!

Happy Birthday Brent!

2008-08-04T20:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, my wonderful, talented, amazing & drop-dead gorgeous husband is turning 31 tomorrow (the 5th)! Happy Birthday Honey! The funny thing is that I'm going to have to tell him to check this because I don't think he checks that often!

And while I'm talking about how talented he is....let me just say in case you haven't heard that he is opening for Lady Antebellum at QCPAC on September 11 with his country band....yes, he has a band and is actually at "band practice" right now! Lady Antebellum was the #1 new country group this year and I absolutely love them, so this is a huge opportunity!

So make sure you get tickets and come see the show! www.qcpac.com

HAPPY 31st BIRTHDAY HONEY!!!

I LOVE YOU!

I LOVE my kids!

2008-07-28T20:24:00.000-07:00

As you can tell...my kids are my life!

(And don't worry....I don't usually bathe Oakley with them- but I just had to get that same shot that Mom did of Josh & Aimee when they were little!)....I used lots of bubbles!

This shows you how organized and mathmatical Oakley is. This started as playing "store" where he'd line up all the toys and his friends could come buy something from him!

This is one of his best friends Rider Lines....what a great kid. I want pretty blue eyes....not fair...
Ranger rides in Eager on a beautiful day...

My cutie pie...little Jack Jack!

2008-07-28T17:48:00.003-07:00

I just have so many cute pics of Jack that I thought I'd dedicate this to my little boy

who is growing up so fast! Don't show this to Grandma Packard!!!
This is the Slade land in Eager....notice the cabin in the background....beautiful!
Yep....that's his namesake....a serious cowboy from Eager!
His favorite pastime!
His meadow....
He was hysterically laughing from the rain!
He loves the garage....especially the Ranger!
Daddy's Boy!

A month of Eager Days...

2008-07-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

So, we have had a wonderful summer. Swimming every day, swim lessons in June, and going to Eager 3 times! Whew...lots of crazy drives in the car! I think I was insane half of the time!

We 1st went up to Big Lake in June, just for a day of camping with our friends Connie & Aaron Allen. It was so much fun! We even set the tent up - just for a few hours- and then decided that we weren't even going to spend the night! ....at least the kids had fun putting it up! But we really did have a fun day. Oakley had a little fishing time that he was hoping for (we don't do much in our family!) And we had a fun night around the fire telling scary stories (again....that was on Oakley's to-do list!)

We drove in our ranger 10 miles one day to Black River, where we had fun playing in the water. Unfortunately, Livi fell asleep and missed the whole thing! (He nose was covered with dirt!)

And then there was our traditional 4th of July in Eager! We actually went up to Eager on the 3rd, basically as Livi's birthday present since she loves it so much! Seriously...there is no where else she'd rather be....up there riding the horses all day!

The trailer in the back ground was my home for 9 days of July! (Thanks to Aunt Kathy!)

The Eager parade!.....it's a dewsy!

I couldn't find Jackson one day....and then this is where I found him!

I hope we don't have a NASCAR fan in the making!?

The cousins that came up....

Carter, Oakley, Hannah, Luke, Livi, Daisy, Jennie & Jack

And then our 3rd adventure up there was July 16th-20th for a fun Allen Family Reunion (Debbie & her three sisters). I went up with Callie & the kids while Brent was at Geronimo for a whole week as Scoutmaster. That drive up was apsolutely insane! But then Brent came to Eager for the last 2 days...yea! Man....I really missed him after a whole week of being gone. Absence makes the heart grow fonder!

So we went camping with the whole Allen crew up Water Canyon in Eager. It was BEAUTIFUL! But the 3rd & 4th day it rained....still beautiful, but it got awfully chilly!

Saturday was a game day....Mom, you would have been in heaven!

The kids played this donut game & a water bucket game and the adults played badmitton & horseshoes. And I am so pround of myself! I made it to the semi-finals- the only female! But unfortunately it was against Brent so he kicked my trash!

And Jack found his little "meadow" that he would escape to where the weeds were as tall as him...but he loved it! And he loved taking horse rides each day. I think he's going to be just like Livi with the horses.

Anyway....we love Eager! It's the best!

Livi is 4!!!

2008-07-05T15:31:00.000-07:00

So Olivia had a fun 4th birthday! We got her a bike (finally...she's just used Oakley's old boy bike but never liked it!) She loved it.....a Disney princess bike & she especially loves having her own little water bottle that goes with it!

We had a My Little Pony party with her friends & she had so much fun!

7 Brothers....

2008-06-30T15:36:00.000-07:00

The play was a success! Brent stole the show (at least that was my opinion!) :)
Brent's on the left (in red but it looks orange).

In the middle of the barnyard scene (notice Mark Baker & Brent right behind Millie)

Livi Joy School graduation

2008-06-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

Livi ended Joy School in May & it was such a wonderful year.

Her friends in her class were Alyssa Mowers, Kylie Hancock, Lindsey Brewer, Kassidy Lawlor, & Claire Nugent. I love teaching Joy School....it's so much fun!

Oakley's done with Preschool!!!

2008-06-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

Oakley absolutely LOVED Miss Nancy's preschool this year! She does 1/2 kindergarten prep & 1/2 Joy School (which he already knew & loved), so it was great! Livi is in this preschool for next year.

The greatest part about this video is realizing how tall he is compared to the other kids! Granted some of them are repeated preschool this year, but still....he's ginormous! (I was exactly the same!)

Jack's 1st Birthday!!!!

2008-06-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

Jack turned 1 on June 1st!!!! We had a fun party with the "triplets" at my mom's house where Jack totally tore into his cake! It was hilarious...and he just kept laughing the whole time!

...All clean afterwards!

And then we can a big combined party at my house for all the Slade birthdays that week, where Debbie made a fun combined cake for all of them! He got a little push car to ride on and a little car from Debbie that he loved pushing and watching it go!

Rocky Point 2008

2008-06-11T16:25:00.000-07:00

We went to Rocky Point June 3rd-7th for our annual Rocky Point trip. Annie & Doug, Sheri & Zach, Katy & Chris, Mom & Dad & Callie (and all the kids) came with us!

Wow....this was a FUN year! The weather was beautiful, the water was warm and my kids were happy! So despite my near drowning experience, everything was perfect! (Yes...some ginormous waves took me under and the tube I had on my arm was pulling me under and tearing my arm off!) But Brent came to my rescue just in time....he's my hero!

Anyway....please enjoy a fun slide of all our wonderful experiences! Jack-Jack was so cute...loved the sand! And he loved to swim and would just jump off the edge and slightly swim to Brent under water. It was crazy to see! And as you can see, my kids were Mexican by the time we came home. We always stay at the Princesa...it's kind of like a home away from home.

Anyway....good times were had!

Rocky Point 2008

2008-06-11T16:22:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday tomorrow Callie!!!

2008-05-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

And last but not least I have my beautiful sister-in-law's birthday tomorrow....Callie Bradshaw!
Callie's turning 28 on the 25th!!!!

She is so amazing! It's so fun to have a sister in law that I have old connections with!
We knew each other growing up and had so many fun times just being silly.

Seriously....we were a little weird!

There was the Babysitters Club (we made up), our Beastie Girls club, the weird "code" words we would make us, like kawinkidink....?....., and then countless summers swimming and eating bean burritos and Debbie's homemade bread, and watching (every other day) "Watcher in the Woods" or "Bates Motel".....

Maybe that's why I don't like scary movies now!?

Anyway....here's to all those fun days! And yes, Cindy was there through them all too!

Is this a little weird that I would just sit there a watch Callie talking on the phone (probably to boys) and just take pictures of her!?

Love you Callie! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday Ali!!!

2008-05-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

Wow....! Ali is the big 3-0 today!!!!!!!

Boy....you are getting up there! But the funny thing is....you would never know!

Ali is so beautiful skinny and young! And will always be young at heart!

Yep.....she's in Australia right now....living there!

I love you Ali and miss you! You better come and visit soon!

Thanks for all the fun memories growing up!

I remember reading in the my journal one day that my goal was to be more spontaneous....just like my sister Ali! I don't know if I'll ever catch up with her on that one though!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALI!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Annie!!!!!!

2008-05-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

The 3 Musketeers!

Ali, Annie & me(above)....i'm the middle girl and I loved it!

SO I have the BEST sisters in the world...!

Annie's birthday is May 23rd, Ali's birthday is May 24th, and Callie's is May 25th....so this is dedicated to them!

So 1st off....... sweet Annie Packard Lewis!
She is the big 2-5!!!!!

Thank you for all the fun memories growing up. We were two peas in a pod....except more like fraternal twins! At least 20 pounds of my weight should go to her!

I love you Annie! Happy Birthday!

My crazy life....

2008-05-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

So it's been a while since I've posted anything so I thought I better just give you the low down on my life! It's been CRAZY!!! (Isn't everyone's May crazy too!?)

#1
So, for starters....I'll give you the good news.........drumroll please............

Oakley got into Ben Franklin!!!!! I am SO happy! I swear I almost started crying when I heard the message! His little friends on the street, Rider Lines & Gavin VandeVoorde were already in for next year, so I'm so happy he'll get to be with them. And then I found out that Hannah (Katy's girl) & Natalie Wendelschafer got in too, so we are all so happy! I just think Oakley really needed the extra push that they give the kids so it will be a good school for him.

#2
Next item of business.....we've had our 15-year-old nephew, Bradley, living with for a couple weeks now & for a couple weeks more. It's been so fun! We really love him. Sure, there's been a few difficult moments but overall...I'm adjusting to the teenage life and enjoying getting to see this flash forward of what my life might be like in 10 years! Newell's his dad and moving to Queen Creek in a couple weeks, and his mom, Kathy, who he has lived with for 9 years in Illinois is also moving here this summer. He wanted to get started at Queen Creek High, which is why he had to live with us. But he's fun & all the girls love him, so it's hilarious!

(Bradley or "Brad" is the one on the right next to Bryan....but he looks even a little cuter now!)

So the next part of my crazy life is my horribly embarrassing moment that happened today. I swear I never remember any embarrassing moments when people ask you one of the spot, but I don't think I'll be able to forget this one!

So my friend...(thank you Tracy!)....sent me (on accident) a link to join Reunion.com... so I thought, "Hey...it won't hurt...I do have my 10 year reunion coming up and then it will be easier for them to find me!" So off I went...just one little click of a button. It has one of the tricky little boxes that if you don't stop it it will ruin your life!!! No...not quite...but it did forward my invitation to join reunion.com to everyone in my whole contact list. Yes, that was 250 people, many whom I don't even know or remember why they are in there!

But let me tell you, it sure is a good way to clean up your contact list! Suddenly I got like 35 emails back telling me whose email didn't work and then..... the rush came. Yes, I had SO many calls & emails from random people. Grandpa Rob even called me since the email said "I've been trying to contact you"! He was worried that something was wrong! And then there was my urologist who wrote back saying, "Now...who is this and how do I know you!?" And then of course there was Brother Young in my bishopric saying at least he got a good laugh! And last but not least, Oakley's preschool teacher who has Slades as relatives wondering...."wait....when is the Slade reunion!?" Oh BOY!!!! I'm retarded!!! Hi Nancy LeSueur...on your mission in the Phillipines...just wanted you to keep in touch with reunion.com!

So that was part of my glorious day today...just putting out fires & I'm sure some of them aren't even started yet!

Okay, last by not least is our wonderful health we are having here!

I've been sick pretty much all week. I've had a horrible sore throat & fever so I thought it was strep. But the culture was negative, so after a little research on the Internet...I think I've figured out what it is.....and may you never get it! I think it's called "herpangina"....or basically mouth blisters. I don't know where I got it but it's just wonderful blisters in my throat.

So fun times! Yes, fun times!

And then Jackson's been so sick. He just had a normal cold virus that lasted a long time and then some sleepless nights, and then all of a sudden- boom....his eardrum ruptured on Sunday. So he was happier after that but I felt so bad for him. But now he has this horrible rash that is apparently from the virus too. It is covering his whole body and is thick and red makes him feet and hands totally swollen. So it's so sad...but the doctor said there is nothing I could really give him to make it go away. So.....it's so sad. BUT....we are trying to survive!!!!

Anyway....don't mean to end on a downer...but I just wanted to document this brief glimpse into my normal everyday life!!!! Ha! And sorry if the "blisters" part grossed you out! (That's why I saved it for the end because most of you probably aren't still reading!!!) :)

Anyway...thanks for hanging on to the end..... may none of you ever get herpangina!!!

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-11T07:08:00.001-07:00

(Mom with the "triplets" Jackson, Brody, & Callin)

I have the most wonderful mother! She is the best and I miss her SO much!

Mom...I hope you have had a wonderful mother's day and know how much we love and miss you here! Here's a little tribute to my mother....but it simply can't explain everything she is...but I'll try.....

Everybody needs someone
That they can call their own.
An example, a leader, a friend called "mom"
That can always be their "home".

She gave me roots, a sure foundation-
Then gave me wings to fly
A steady place to always be
A welcomed place to cry.

But sometimes your home is not nearby
And even when your day is blue
But the most important thing that she's taught me
Is that I can be that someone too.

For a mother to mother passes on
And hopefully the wisdom too
So my hopes and dreams are that someday
I'm a home to my daughter too.

Happy Mother's Day dearest Mom!!!

Spring Fun!

2008-04-04T07:56:00.001-07:00

March was SO beautiful this year! Would you not agree? We really spent as much time as we could outside & leaving the doors open to cool things off. But now the flies are coming...ahh!! And it's almost time to turn on the A/C- so we are enjoying it while we can!

Jack-Jack loves to sit out in the tire chips....and chew on them occasionally!

He LOVES the SWING now! I can sit them out there and get a few things accomplished in the kitchen...it's great!

The kids are seriously obsessed with getting the eggs each day from our 6, now 5 chickens. (We had an accidental drowning in the horse trough) :( It is so fun though to have your own eggs, and the kids love their "chore"!

Olivia LOVES her cousin Hannah & especially that she's right next door! It reminds me of me & Cindy growing up.....fun creative times! (Their dolls are back to back in the swing!)

......"I get the tingles in a silly place......It starts in my toes......and I crinkle my nose!" (Colbie Caillat's song "Bubbly".....the best song ever in case you havn't heard it!)

....Until next March!

My own Benjamin!

2008-04-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

So if you have never seen this movie/play.....you must stop what you are doing and go watch it!

7 Brides for 7 Brothers is just so dear to my heart! I can't even tell you how many times I've seen it!

So Queen Creek Performing Arts is finally doing this play this year and we are so excited because Brent is going to be in it! He just found out last night that he made it as Benjamin (the really cute one!) and he's excited to be with his fellow brothers (Newell-Caleb; Mikey-Daniel; & Mark Baker-Frank!) So it will be fun!

Pretty dang close, huh!?

Congrats Honey!
Put it on your calendars now.....June 27th, 28th & 30th!

Beautiful Kids

2008-04-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

I just love Easter Sunday.

It might be the only Sunday that I actually try to be completely ready for church with almost a whole half hour to go! .....gotta get those pictures in! (I lost my camera a couple of years ago in Hawaii with my Easters pictures on it- so I feel really guilty and can't miss a year!)

Anyway.....so here's my beautiful kids...and husband! :) They are the joy of my life.

Easters....

2008-04-01T14:21:00.000-07:00

Ever since I've watched Nacho Libre ("I've had diarrhea since last Easters"), I can't help but say "Easters" now instead of just "Easter"! :)

Anyway....we had such a wonderful day! We got home from the trek the day before Easter- on Saturday afternoon. We didn't have much time to do a lot of fun Easter things, but we did do baskets! And we had a fun ward party a few weeks before where they dyed eggs & went on an egg hunt, so I just counted that this year!

Olivia was very worried about the Easter bunny this year. She was so worried about opening the front door after the Easter bunny rang the doorbell. She kept saying, "But the big scary Easter bunny's not going to be here, right!?" So then we watch Peter Cottontail and I reassured her that he was small and very nice! But she doesn't ever want to see him, so I'm fine with that! :)

And she LOVED her Care Bear I got her! She now has Sunshine Bear & Love-a-Lot...and I just love that she's playing with things that I loved when I was little....like My Little Ponies too! I don't want her to grow up!

And then after all the chocolate & worry about the Easter bunny, she finally crashed!

Changes!

2008-03-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

Okay...
I know it's been a long time since I've posted....but hey...at least I can make some cute changes!
I went with this template because it reminds me of where a chunk of my heart is....Africa.
Those darn gazelles are everywhere! And the elephants are my favorite...especially when the little babies tag along behind. :) Anyway...this is for you, Mom, Dad & Lindy!
Love you guys and miss you!

And I promise to give you a big update soon....especially about our pioneer trek!

Pioneer Children....walked..and walked...and walked!

2008-03-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

So....the months of preparation & planning finally ended and it was time for our Pioneer Trek, where Brent and I were asked to be a Ma & Pa. We had something like 45 hours of training & we even practiced killing and skinning chickens!

But nothing could prepare us for what lay ahead....

Day 1

So we arrived, out in the middle of the desert near Arizona City & Pichaco Peak on Wednesday, March 19th at a bright 6 AM....dressed to impress!

Then they read out the names of our children in our family....

We couldn't have been more blessed .....5 girls & 4 boys!....

Kristina Tryon, Nicole Germaine, Lynsie Hammond, Daizsha Stempniak, & Meg Higginson

McKay Bagley, Dakota Redd, Andrew Schneider, & Lorin Merkley

After putting the handcarts together, getting to know everyone with a name game, and gathering our chickens for the next day we started walking about 11:00. We ate biscuits & gravy around 7:30 for breakfast. That was the only food we had for the rest of the day. And then we walked, and we walked some more. We were originally supposed to walk about 16 miles that day- with only water. It was a hot day....around 84 degrees that day so things were hard.

The sun just drained our energy that day, and all we could do was just keep putting one foot ahead of another. We had a break around 6:30, with many of the kids thinking this might be the end. After a quick Ma & Pa meeting, we continued on the trail in silence. And then came the most touching part...the women's pull. It represented the Mormon Battalion. One by one Pa pulled of the boys & the girls were left to pull up a little hill. I was added on at that point. I had a very difficult time & was completely exhausted. But the lessons learned from it were amazing....we were so grateful for our men & it was so hard for the men to not be able to help us, but we knew we had strength and could do it.

Then we had our last stop around 9:00 & it took every last little bit to get up and keep going. We were very hungry & tired. We were told we'd probably get in around 10:30, so we were getting anxious to be done around then. And then, when we thought we couldn't go anymore, they told us, "just 20 more minutes!" But when a 1/2 hour came, then 45 minutes, then an hour, we were just spent. I've never seen such exhaustion, injuries, and people just feeling defeated. When we'd stop for 15 seconds with backed up traffic, everyone would just collaps & it looked like dead bodies just lying up and down the sandy road.

At some point in that stage, my feet were killing me. I had blisters between my toes, so I walked as far as a could spreading my toes apart in my shoes, but I couldn't take it anymore. I finally took my shoes off and walked in my socks for the last 3 or 4 miles, with a nice full moon- through the sand, just hoping I wouldn't step on a cactus.

So after the 20 minutes turned into 2 hours, we finally saw the light of a fire. We had one girl, Meg, that fell and hurt her hip, so I helped her hobble in as she lagged behind right at the end. But then there was relief! And food.....just a small cup of broth and a small roll. It was truly the most humbling experience. I will never forget the faces of the crowds of people, just hoping to get a 1/2 a roll more. So we finally made it in around midnight and crashed and slept for 6 hours.

Day 2

One of my most memorable moments came after breakfast on the second day. After one of the most difficult days of my life, we came into camp the night before and were only given a little bit of broth and a roll. It was very hard for me to see the big boys in my family have to go to bed without feeling full. I was so grateful for the broth & roll, but I remember really missing my normal “Fast Sunday” meals. The next morning, I woke up very hungry. Our cornmeal mush wasn’t what I would call a wonderful breakfast, but it was sufficient. Many of the kids didn’t like it, and honestly, there was not that much to go around, especially since we needed to save some for lunch that day. As I was cleaning up the breakfast, and still feel slightly hungry, I was completely humbled. I have never had a moment in my life where I went without—where I didn’t get enough to eat when I wanted it. I imagined what it might have been like to be a pioneer and have to always ration your food. How blessed I felt that I did not have to live like that every day. I am now so grateful to have such wonderful meals whenever I want & so grateful to the pioneers for the struggles that they went through for our sake.

Then we had a big group meeting, where the truth came out. They told us they accidently set up the camp that night in the wrong spot, and couldn't move it, so we had to go the extra miles.....we walked 20 miles that day. It was truly amazing. But then they told us that the pioneers did that every day....for 1500 miles. We just had a taste.

Then our walk that day was only about a mile, since we had walked so far the night. So we set up camp for the next two days under a nice tree....it was perfect! That day we had some fun workshops in the draining sun....rifle shooting, candle making, hair washing! (since we couldn't take a shower for 4 days!)....and taffy pulling! It was great! And then we finished the night with a fun hoedown & skits by the Ma's & Pa's (ours was Nacho Libre)! We had a wonderful stew with our chickens that they killed & skinned (nothing looked better!) & yummy dutch oven bread! The night couldn't have been complete without a little singing by Pa with Mayor Sanders on his guitar....beautiful moments.

Day 3

This was our Sabbath day. We had RS & Priesthood & Sunday School in the morning, and then 5 hours of solo time to reflect...it was a great day. At night we had an amazing testimony meeting with everyone, and then came back & had a family testimony meeting around our fire. Wonderful times. We grew so close to our kids & just loved each one of them so much.

Day 4

The end was here! And sure we were ready to go back to our beds, but we knew we'd miss everyone and the experience. We walked maybe 4 miles that morning to get back to our base camp- and I really shouldn't say "walked"...it was more like a jog the entire way! They were anxious! I lagged behind most of the time! We finished with yummy cinnamon rolls there waiting for us! It was glorious...and so was our shower when we got home! It was so good to come home to our kids, but we will always miss our kids from the trek. (But we have family reunions planned!)

An experience I'll never forget....

Pioneer Trek 2008

2008-03-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

I'm so dang proud of myself!

2008-02-08T09:28:00.001-08:00

For those of you that really know me, you know that I don't sew, I'm not very "crafty" & in fact...I have a wonderful mother-in-law that fulfills these needs! But lo and behold....I finished a project...almost all by myself!

These are Livi's closet doors...and yes, we've been in our house for 9 months now, and finally....they are done!!!! I made them from regular curtains...and with a few new stitches, Debbie making me the cutest tie-backs, & hours and hours of hanging 8 curtain rods...I'm done ...and very proud! Is that okay?
I'm trying not to boast...I really just want my mommy to see how cute her room is now!
Just wanted to give you a little close-up to show Debbie's adorable eyelet ties!

(We don't normally have this huge chair in her room...but we have our friend Betty visiting us from Canada and staying in her room). She has cute horsie fabric with some old horse pictures of our grandpa's on both sides. One of my favorite rooms in the house!

Why can't we live at the beach?

2008-02-08T09:05:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I ask myself, "Why can't we live at the beach?" In fact, I did see a couple people that "lived" at the beach, sleeping in the cold air & wind. Then I realized how much I do love Arizona, how much I love the weather here, and how much I love to visit California just once or twice a year! :)
We saw a crazy lady swimming in the water with almost nothing on, dug a big hole, and I ran down the pier, 20 minutes one way, just to get the best shake ever & put the calories back on!

Soaking it all in....

(That's the place I ran to in the background... and when I say "ran" I mean "speed walked"!)

loved it! loved it! loved it!

LegoLand!

2008-02-08T08:22:00.000-08:00

Brent and I took the kids to San Diego area in January & had the time of our lives!

We went to LegoLand, which honestly, is great for a 1/2 day and only for little kids. So it was perfect for us! Jack gets tired and the other kids get whiny!

The funniest part about this picture is that Oakley really didn't want to take it, but I thought that it was cool! We were waiting for another family to finally get out of the way so we could take our turn, and by the time we were ready, Oakley said, "Let's just go Mom-I don't want to do this." But I insisted! I needed at least one "lego" picture for my LegoLand post!

Livi loved this ride, of course, because it was a horse! But Oakley was seriously bored & ready to move on to the big bad roller coasters (...as was mommy!). (Brent can't stand to even watch us on roller coaster because even that makes him sick!)

Oakley was serious business on this ride. As fast as possible, straight turns....had to win.

Livi on the other hand let every one lap her a few times while she zig-zagged around the whole thing....just la-la-la-la....enjoying her sweet little time!

It was a perfect showing of their personalities!

Crawling....& Standing!

2008-01-20T16:05:00.000-08:00

So Jack is definitely my fastest learner when it comes to crawling....7 months! And then one week later he started pulling himself up on everything. He especially loves my kitchen barstools!

Sledding in Eager!

2008-01-05T16:02:00.000-08:00

A White Eager

2008-01-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

So it snowed and it snowed and it snowed....up in Eager of course- while it rained and rained and rained down here. So we knew it was time to pay the White Mountains a little visit! We went up on New Year's Eve for some serious partying at the cabin! And partying it was....at 9:00 pm.... & then we all went to bed!

But really, we had so much fun. We went up with Mom & Dad Slade, Callie & kids and Elise. Oakley & Carter played non-stop, as well as Olivia and Luke. We found a perfect little hill to sled on...and as you can tell by this picture, there wasn't that much snow left where we went, but if was all we needed! The kids had so much fun and wanted to go all day. We made snow angels & Livi loved eating the snow!

I finally got a chance to read the Twilight series books & had my nose buried for 4 days straight! (2 books in 4 days...they are so good!) Then I read the 3rd one when I came home. I am an Edward fan...just so you know...apparently you are either for Edward or Jacob!

Anyway....so it was really such a fun and relaxing trip (except my nights with Jackson)....but still worth it!

Ward Christmas Party

2007-12-30T16:01:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful ward Christmas party this year. We had it outside in the freezing cold weather (after a week's worth of rain) at the Bowman's house. The decided to do a live nativity scene and asked me to be in charge of getting it together. We had some amazing costumes from the Bowman's (like this wise men costume that Mikey is so fashionable wearing) & an amazing (every time I use that word now I think of Kelly from The Office).... Anyway- an amazing stable that they made. We had some beautiful songs- Aaron Ballard singing "O Holy Night", Rebecca Barney with "Mary's Lullably", and Katy (and she made me harmonize on the chorus) on a different and pretty arrangement of "While Shepherds Watch their Flocks". It was a spiritual night....just what a Christmas Party should be about.
And then Santa came....a little too late too....the kids were all very tired and cold by the point.
Jackson was a little leary of this whole "Santa Claus" thing!
And Olivia didn't even make it.....out cold before Santa even came. It was so sad because she was SO excited.... I guess there's always next year!

Christmas 2007

2007-12-30T15:45:00.000-08:00

So Christmas was the best this year! Seriously....it just gets better each year with the kids growing up! We were so lucky to have a big fun group at our house this year. Annie, Doug, and Callin spent the night on Christmas Eve since they would just be too lonely all by there lonesome! And then Grandpa & Grandma Slade showed up at the exact moment we were waiting in the hallway to come and see if Santa came! And then Chris & Katy stopped by for a wonderful breakfast after we opened presents. It is such a blessing to have family so near...and dear! The big highlights included Olivia's Butterscotch horse that actually makes sounds and responds to her voice! (Buddy was going crazy the night before...completely afraid of it!)

Oakley loved his knights castle and had all the neighhood boys over playing with it shortly after. And Brent was completely surprised by the motorhome.....a really old one....we named her Betty the Bounder! It was a miracle that I pulled that off, especially since he always knows or finds out what he's getting. So yes....a fun Christmas!

And of course, Christmas Eve was so much fun over at my mom's / Annie & Doug's. We had a wonderful dinner & the best ever Nativity story. The next day Josh & Heidi came in stayed for a week or so. It was SO much fun with them! We had them over for a few days at our house and had some good times swimming in the jacuzzi!

Santa Baby!

2007-12-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

Olivia is in a little dance class with her friend, Elli Baker and she loves it! It is a tap / jazz/ tumbling class so she learns a variety of things....and one of those things is how to shake her booty to "Santa Baby!"

She was the 2nd to last class to perform (a bad idea with 3 year olds)....so she just couldn't wait patiently to get up there. By the time it was finally her turn, she was jumping up and down when she got on stage because she was so excited to start!

She did such a great job....she turned and looked at her teacher on the side the whole time & her skirt was hiked up to her armpits, but it was still so cute! Brent was so mad because he was stuck in the worst construction traffic ever and missed the show by just a few minutes.

Good thing we have video cameras!

A Proud Joseph

2007-12-30T14:55:00.000-08:00

Wow.....he was SO excited to be Joseph in his preschool play! He's the oldest (and by far the tallest as you can tell by the picture below) ... :) He was counting down the days! We arrived really early and he took us on a tour of the room, saying "This is where I knock three times". He even memorized other kid's part...he always said, "Mary, God loves you!"

His little buddy is Ezra (just to the right of Oakley in the picture). His teacher, Miss Nancy says that all the kids like Oakley (probably because he's the oldest and that means you're cool!)

Yep....that's a whole head taller than his friend Ezra!

The Proud Parent Moment

2007-12-30T14:39:00.000-08:00

Livi's Joy School Christmas Play

So I am sure more than one of you parents out there has experienced this very moment.....

We were SO excited for Olivia's Joy School Christmas performance! She knew all the songs and practiced "Ding Dong...Ding Dong...Christmas bells are ringing" a millions times with spoons for the bells....she was ready. I dropped her off at school and came back an hour later with Grandma Packard to watch her be the cutest little innkeeper ever! But lo and behold...right when I walked in the door, she pulls off her costume, whines, and says she doesn't want to do. So after begging turned to pleading and then pleading turned to threats, and then the threats turned to bribes- she finally decided she would participate if she stood right next to Grandma.

....so Grandma was suddenly her best friend and I was her worst enemy.

After the best & most hiliarious play in the world...Livi finally started singing on the last line of the last song while sitting on my lap!

Is this worth all the effort? I hope so!

Thatcher...here we come!

2007-12-30T14:17:00.000-08:00

NlightN Thatcher Concert 2007

It's Monday, December 3rd, ....the biggest day that's Thatcher/Safford's had in a long time! NlightN is coming to town! They are coming home.....home to their roots that gave them wings! (I think they originally did their first concert here?...I think).....but I do know this...they love them! How could you not?....5 cute guys with musical talent! They got me!

Backstage before the show started, Jack-Jack had to wish his daddy good luck! (6 months old!)

The NlightN groupies of course had to take a trip! We were front and center cheering on our hunks! (That would be (left to right) Alissa, Jami, Jenica, me, & Lauren....in case you didn't know) We had so much fun...especially on our drive down. Lauren let me and Jami tag along in her Suburban with our kids too. We had a fun trip there and got to do a little bonding time!

Okay.....after all the autograph signing calmed down, we finally took a picture of the group together (I think it's been a few years!) But seriously, I think the girls were a little hopeful still....even after 5-7 years of marriage each & 12 1/2 kids between us all!

So.....apparently I do not know how to stand like a lady! Someone please help me!

I LOVE THATCHER!

Thanksgiving Fun!

2007-11-27T13:14:00.001-08:00

Brody, Callin, and Jack-Jack....all practicing sitting up at almost 6 months old!

I couldn't be more grateful for such a sweet boy!

Me & Aimee making yummy quiche for our Thanksgiving Brunch!

Silas & Oakley- proudly receiving their Thanksgiving Turkey Trot certificate...we did our own 2 mile run (which I can proudly say that I finished last- out of the people that actually ran the whole thing!)

My cutie bright blue-eyed Jack-Jack, trying to figure out crawling!

After the run....looking a little scraggly....but always having fun with cousin Ava!

Yea! I LOVE Thanksgiving! It was so fun to have all of our family over for Thanksgiving. We had the Packard clan in the morning for our own Turkey Trot, brunch, badminton, and horse rides. And then the Slade bunch came over in the afternoon for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast! I actually got to use my china for the first time ever! Then we ended the day with a fun game of RISK with Chris & Katy, Ben & Emily, and me & Brent. And I'm proud to say that after Brent fell asleep and Ben & Emily left, I finally won a game!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-11-27T12:16:00.001-08:00

Halloween

2007-11-27T12:00:00.001-08:00

We had such a fun Halloween this year! We went to our ward carnival the night before and played games and did a trunk-or-treat. Then on Halloween, Oakley and Livi got to wear their costumes to school, and then we had a fun cousin night at Wally & Debbie's. Oakley was Wolverine (from X-Men...which he hasn't even seen...he just liked the claws!) Livi is a princess (which was the completely wrong costume for her!) She wouldn't wear the crown or the earrings and hated putting the dress on and having her hair done! Maybe I'll just stick witht he cowgirl costume every year! Jackson is either a cow or a dalmation....you pick! Either way, he's a cutie!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-11-27T11:57:00.001-08:00

Conference

2007-10-02T11:14:00.000-07:00

What a fun weekend Brent and I had up at Conference! Neither of us have been since we've been married, so we thought we'd go up with just our little Jack-Jack who was only 4 months old! This was the beginning of October and usually it's not too cold that weekend up in Utah. I thought I was totally prepared with my little cotton jacket. But Mother Nature always has surprises up her (or His?) sleeve! It was only 38 degrees for the high the first day; 20 degrees below normal! ...freezing cold rain when we went to and from conference on Saturday!

Man, I love Arizona!

Eager in September

2007-10-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

Sorry I'm not posting this until November, but that's only because it was the end of September, and all of October was filled with pain from my kidneys! (I had surgery October 19th to get another nasty stone out that I tried to pass for a whole month...just in case you didn't know!)

Anyway- so it all started in Eager. We went up- just our little fam- September 20th. We had such a nice relaxing time. Oakley wanted to play baseball every minute with Brent. And Olivia loved exploring outside. The weather was beautiful- we couldn't have asked for anything better! It all ended a day early, though, when we decided to leave at 9:00 at night when I realized the stone was coming. Of course, I thought we could hurry home and then I'd pass it.....I'd never have thought it'd take another month and a surgery to get it out!

Brent's new do!

2007-09-09T12:03:00.000-07:00

So I bought some new buzzers....thinking, "Hey these are nice....they don't have those attachments anymore- it's just automatic...so they've got to be easy!" Lo and behold....this is what happened. The blade wasn't quite on all the way, so the very first cut, cut the deepest! Yes, that was less than a "1", so we had to practically bic his head!
Poor Brent...as least it has grown back within 2 weeks!

I figured maybe I better put some pictures of us on here too and not just our kids! So this is from this weekend, the 7th, when we went with Wally and Debbie, & Chris and Katy to our favorite restaurant in the world...Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. Nothing is better in the whole world to me than their ravioli as an appetizer, the felite, and then their creme brulee as dessert! Ahhh! And they even let us bring Jackson since he was being a stinker that day and I didn't want to leave him with a babysitter. Man, I love that place!

Jack-Jack

2007-09-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

Our little newborn is suddenly becoming the cutest little infant ever!

This is when he really started smiling...around 2 months. Notice how skinny he is! His cousins, Brody and Cal both completely dwarf him already. He definitely long, but he's just so skinny! Just like his daddy was as a baby!

Livi just loves her little brother! Although she has tried to pick him up (and dropped him before)...she still is a big helper!

This is Jack-Jack on September 6th- just over 3 months old. He has the cutest little smile and the biggest blue eyes! He's a keeper!

All About Livi

2007-09-09T10:48:00.001-07:00

Well, I had to dedicate a whole entry to all of her cute pics!

This first one is my favorite! She started a jazz/tap/tumbing class at a little dance place right around the corner her and she loves it! She takes with her little friend Ellie Baker every Monday morning for an hour. The footless tights are my favorite!

Then there is the cutest pictures of our family scripture study and prayer. She just bought these "shark" goggles and insists on wearing them all the time!

And, though I was mad at Brent at the moment for taking this picture during our family prayer, it just has to be shared. Call it sacreligious, but it's just the cutest of her saying a prayer! Brent insists it was okay just because they have pictures of it in other church things! :) But don't worry, we won't keep doing that!

And last but not least is her ghetto outfit she likes to wear.... She got this D-backs hat at a game with Brent, and then the rest is her Halloween outfit from last year that obviously doesn't fit! :)

Oakley is 5!

2007-09-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

Brent took Oakley to see the movie "Transformers" about a month ago, and ever since, Oakley knew he wanted to have a Transformers party! We swam and had pizza, presents, and cake and ice cream! It was so much fun!

And of course, Brent wanted me to make a "real" cake for him for his birthday. So after searching for days and days to find a Transformers shaped cake pan, I came to the conclusion that I was going to have to do it myself....so this is what I came up with....notice the "Transformers" style of writing and the 4 transformers in the corners! I'm so proud of myself!

Michael Kelly, Oakley, Caden Bluth, Dawson (and Gavin was there) VandeVoorde, Scout (and Ryder was there) Lines, McKoy Kelly, Braeden Baker, and Malachi Kelly

Brent's 30th!

2007-08-06T16:03:00.001-07:00

Brent's only request for his birthday is that I actually make him a homemade cake- that's pretty sad, huh!? So (with Debbie and Katy's help), he got a yummy Hawaiian chocolate-banana cake!

It was a fun luau with yummy Hawaiian food and fun decorations. And Sheri & mom even helped me make some homemade ice cream...my favorite!

We had some Polynesian dancers come (a surprise to Brent) and it was definitely the highlight of the evening! We had Sadie Salima and her husband and friend come. They gave a wonderful performance, taught the boys the Haka, the girls how to hula, and even performed an amazing fireknife dance!

That would be me, Mindy, Katy, Annie, and Ali- trying to do the hula!

Then we ended the night with some swimming and watching a video of Brent's 30 years that my friend Lauren helped me make on a mac! I've definitely moving on with the next generations...macs, blogs, you name it!

Ali was definitely our best-dressed flower child!

And Curtis won the award for starting "Happy Birthday" more than any other time at any other party! (And everyone felt obligated to join in each time!)

Faith and Tim

2007-08-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

For Brent's 30th b-day, his best friend, Scott Hastings bought us tickets to the Faith Hill & Tim McGraw concert at the Glendale Arena. We went Friday, August 3rd with Scott and his new wife, Katie, and our friends from Utah, Junior and Rachel Langi.

Even though our seats were up high & Junior and Rachel sat in great seats down low :), we had so much fun! Hoever, I was worried the whole time about Jackson, because it was the first time I've left him. But luckily he has Aunt Ali and Aunt Annie as babysitters, so he was just fine!

These are our friends, the Langi's that came and stayed with us, August 1st-5th. He served in Brent's mission. They have a five year old girl, Tayah, who is the most beautiful person ever and I want Oakley to marry her- and then a 2 year old boy, Jonah, and this baby, David.

Potato Lake

2007-08-06T09:13:00.001-07:00

We had such a fun week camping up at Potato Lake! I haven't been there since I was a little girl, so it was so fun to go back and see the same exact spot we camped out when we were kids. Recognize the cave in back, fam? But of course, it wasn't the same because I just couldn't do a tent. :) I mean, come on, with a newborn and rain every day, can you expect that out of me!?

We went up Thursday, July 26th with all my neighbors on my street and Aunt Annie came with us with baby Callin. She was home alone, so we talked her into coming. The kids had so much fun and we all rode 4-wheelers and our Ranger around all the time. Even Oakley was getting good at it! We went up to the lake one day, had smores one night and even had a big dance fest! We were going to stay til Sunday, but due to non-stop rain pouring down on us all day Saturday, we decided to leave Saturday night. It was such a fun trip!

Eager in July

2007-07-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

We went up to the Slade cabin on July 2nd and stayed for 4 days. It couldn't have been more beautiful up there. We even found this little creek on the way up to Big Lake. We rode the horses around the creek and even found very fresh animal bones all over the place! They even had some blood on them still and the 3 boys (Carter(Callie's), Oakley, and Ethan(Newell's)) all thought that was the coolest thing ever! Notice the spine behind them...gross!

Could she be any cuter? I know...I shouldn't say that since she's my own, but I can't help it!

With her best friend, Hannah, riding Franklin- or "Fwankwin" as she would say!

Definitely not afraid of horses...in fact, I kept finding her over under the horses, all by herself, petting their tails. It's a miracle she's never been drastically hurt!

4th of July- Eager Parade!

2007-07-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

The 4th of July is not complete without a small-town parade like the one in Eager! Make sure you get to Main street at least 24 hours before to mark your spot with a chair or you'll have to sit in the sun!

This year was special because Olivia got to ride with Daddy on Grandpa's horse, and her best buddy and cousin Hannah rode with Aunt Katie on the other horse. They had so much fun and had the cutest red leather boots and a patriotic vest made by Grandma!

Olivia's 3rd B-day

2007-07-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

Olivia is finally 3 and the cutest 3 year old ever! We were up at the cabin in Eager (like we usually are) for her birthday, but it was the best one yet! We had a cute pinata full of little toys and she got some horsies (or course), some dress of things and some dolly play things. And her favorite was her cute horsie cake, made especially for her by Safeway! :)

Jackson's Blessing, July 1st 2007

2007-07-15T18:23:00.000-07:00

Brent decided on our 3rd baby to try an "at home" blessing since we already had an "at home" birth! It couldn't have been better. We had wonderful family and friends there to support little Jack Jack! From our family we had Grandpa Slade, Curtis, Dagen, Ben, Chris, and Toby. And a few of Dad's friends participated as well...Aaron Ballard, Scott Hastings, and Mike Kelly. It was a beautiful blessing!